Alida; or, Miscellaneous Sketches of Incidents During the Late American War.
Page 48
CHAPTER IX.
The time draws near when I shall meet those eyes, that may perchance look cold on me--"but doubt is called the beacon of the wise, the test that reaches to the bottom of the worst."
[_Troilus and Cressida_, II.ii: but modest doubt is called The beacon of the wise, the tent that searches To th' bottom of the worst.]
On the appointed day, Theodore proceeded to the house of Alida's father,where he arrived late in the afternoon. Alida had retired to a littlesummer-house at the end of the garden. A servant conducted him thither.
[_A&M_:
At the appointed day, Alonzo proceeded to the house of Melissa's father, where he arrived late in the afternoon. Melissa had retired to a little summer house at the end of the garden; a servant conducted Alonzo thither.]
She was dressed in a flowing robe of white muslin, richly embroidered.Her hair was in dishevelled curls; she was contemplating a bouquet offlowers which she held in her hand. Theodore fancied she never appearedso lovely. She arose to receive him.
[_A&M_:
She was dressed in a flowing robe of white muslin, embroidered with a deep fringe of lace. Her hair hung loosely upon her shoulders--she was contemplating a bouquet of flowers which she held in her hand. Alonzo fancied she never appeared so lovely. She arose to receive him.]
We have been expecting you for some time, said she; we were anxious toinform you that we have just received a letter from my brother, in whichhe desires us to present you his most friendly respects, and complainsof your not visiting him lately so frequently as usual. Theodore thankedher for the information; said that business had prevented him; heesteemed him as his most valuable friend, and would be more particularin future.
[_A&M_:
"We have been expecting you some time, [said Melissa,] we were anxious to inform you, that we have just received a letter from my brother, in which he desires us to present you his most friendly respects, and complains of your not writing to him lately so frequently as usual." Alonzo thanked her for the information--said that business had prevented him--he esteemed him as his most valuable friend, and would be more particular in future.]
"We have been thronged with company several days," said Alida. The lastof them took their departure yesterday. And I have only to regret, thatI have nearly a week been prevented from taking my favourite walk to thegrove, to which place you attended me when you were last here. "We willwalk there, then, if you have no objections, as no doubt it is muchimproved since that time," said Theodore. They resorted thither towardsevening, and seated themselves in the arbour where they sat some timecontemplating the scenery.
[_A&M_:
"We have been thronged with company for several days, [said Melissa] once a year .... The last of this company took their departure yesterday, and I have only to regret that I have for nearly a week, been prevented from visiting my favorite hill, to which you attended me when you was last here. It is much improved since then; I have had a little arbor built under the large tree on its summit: you will have no objection to view it, Alonzo?" He assured her he accepted the invitation with pleasure, and towards evening they resorted to the place and seated themselves in the arbor.]
[[The omitted text, referring to Melissa's father's birthday celebration, was used earlier in _Alida_.]]
It was the beginning of autumn, and a yellow hue was spread over thenatural beauties of creation. The withering forest began to shed itsdecaying foliage, which the light gales pursued along the russetfields;--the low sun extended its lengthening shadows;--curling smokeascended from the neighbouring village and the surrounding cottages;--athick fog crept along the valleys;--a grey mist hovered over the tops ofthe distant hills;--the glassy surface of the water glittering to thesun's departing ray;--the solemn herds lowed in monotonoussymphony;--the autumnal insects, in sympathetic wafting, plaintivelypredicted their approaching fate.
[_A&M_:
It was the beginning of autumn, and a yellow hue was spread over the fading charms of nature. The withering forest began to shed its decaying foliage, which the light gales pursued along the russet fields. The low sun extended the lengthening shadows; curling smoke ascended from the surrounding cottages. A thick fog crept along the vallies, a grey mist hovered over the tops of the mountains. The glassy surface of the Sound glittered to the sun's departing ray. The solemn herds lowed in monotonous symphony.--The autumnal insects in sympathetic wafting, plaintively predicted their approaching fate.]
The scene is changed since we last visited this place, said Alida; "thegay charms of summer are beginning to decay, and must soon yield theirsplendours to the rude despoiling hand of winter."
[_A&M_:
"The scene is changed since we last visited this place, [said Melissa;] the gay charms of summer are beginning to decay, and must soon yield their splendors to the rude despoiling hand of winter."]
"That will be the case," said Theodore, "before I shall have thepleasure of your company here again." "That may probably be, though itis nearly two months yet to winter," said Alida.
[_A&M_:
"That will be the case, (said Alonzo) before I shall have the pleasure of your company here again."
Mel. That probably may be, though it is nearly two months yet to winter.]
"Great changes may take place within that time," said Theodore. Yes,changes must take place, she answered, but nothing, I hope to embitterpresent prospects.
[_A&M_:
Al. Great changes may take place within that time.
Mel. Yes, changes must take place; but nothing, I hope, to embitter present prospects.]
As it respects yourself, I trust not, madam. "And I sincerely hope not,as it respects you, Theodore." That wish, said he, I believe is vain.
[_A&M_:
Al. (Peevishly) As it respects yourself, I trust not, madam.
Mel. (Tenderly) And I sincerely hope not, as it respects you, Alonzo.
Al. That wish--I believe--is vain.]
Your feelings accord with the season, Theodore; you are melancholy.Shall we return?
[_A&M_:
Mel. Your feelings accord with the season, Alonzo; you are melancholy. Shall we return?]
"I ask your pardon, madam; I know I am unsociable. You speak ofreturning; you know the occasion of my being here. You cannot haveforgotten your own appointment and consequent engagement?" She made noanswer.
[_A&M_:
Al. I ask your pardon, madam; I know I am unsociable. You speak of returning--You know the occasion of my being here. ... (She made no reply.)
Al. You cannot have forgotten your own appointment, and consequent engagement?
(She made no answer.)]
I know, Alida, that you are incapable of duplicity or evasion. I havepromised and now repeat the declaration, that I will silently submit toyour decision. This you have engaged to make, and this is the time youhave appointed. The pain of present suspense can scarcely be surpassedby the pang of disappointment. On your part you have nothing to fear.I trust you have candidly determined, and will decide explicitly.
[_A&M_:
Al. I know, Melissa, that you are incapable of duplicity or evasion. I have promised and now repeat the declaration, that I will silently submit to your decision. This you have engaged to make, and this is the time you have appointed. The pains of present suspense can scarcely be surpassed by the pangs of disappointment. On your part you have nothing to fear. I trust you have candidly determined, and will decide explicitly.]
"I am placed in an exceedingly delicate situation," answered Alida,(sighing.) "I know you are, madam," said Theodore, "but your own honour,your own peace, require that you should extricate yourself from theperplexing embarrassment."
[_A&M_:
Mel. (sighing) I am placed in an exceedingly delicate situation.
Al. I know you are,--but your
own honor, your own peace, require that you should extricate yourself from the perplexing embarrassment.]
"That I am convinced of," replied she. "I know that I have beeninadvertently indiscreet. I have admitted the addresses of Bonville andyourself, without calculating or expecting the consequences. You haveboth treated me honourably and with respect. You are both on equalgrounds as to standing in life. With Bonville I became first acquainted.As it relates to him, some new arrangements have taken place since youcame here."
[_A&M_:
Mel. That I am convinced of. I now know that I have been inadvertently indiscreet. I have admitted the addresses of Beauman and yourself, without calculating or expecting the consequences. You have both treated me honorably, and with respect. You are both on equal grounds as to your character and standing in life. With Beauman I became first acquainted. As it relates to him, some new arrangements have taken place since you were here, which----]
Theodore interrupted her with emotion. "Of those arrangements I amacquainted, I received the intelligence from a friend in yourneighbourhood. I am prepared for the event."
[_A&M_:
Al. (interrupting her, with emotion) Of those arrangements I am acquainted. ... Al. I received it from a friend in your neighbourhood. ... Al. You see, Melissa, I am prepared for the event.]
Alida remained silent. "I have mentioned before," resumed Theodore,"that whatever may be your decision, no impropriety can attach to you.I might add, indeed, from various circumstances, and from theinformation I possess, I perhaps should not have given you furthertrouble on the occasion, had it not been from your own direction. And Iam now willing to retire without further explanation, without giving youthe pain of an express decision, if you think the measure expedient.Your declaration can only be a matter of form, the consequence of whichI know, and my proposition may save your feelings."
[_A&M_:
(She was silent.)
Al. I have mentioned before, that, whatever be your decision, no impropriety can attach to you. I might not, indeed, from various circumstances, and from the information I possess, I perhaps should not, have given you farther trouble on the occasion, had it not been from your own direction and appointment. And I am now willing to retire without further explanation, without giving you the pain of an express decision, if you think the measure expedient. Your declaration can only be a matter of form, the consequence of which I know, and my proposition may save your feelings.]
"No, Theodore," replied she, "my reputation depends on my adherenceto my first determination; justice to yourself and to Bonville alsodemand it. After what has passed, I should be considered as actingcapriciously, and inconsistently, should I depart from it. Bonville willbe here to-morrow, and you must consent to stay with us until that time;the matter shall then be decided." "Yes," said Theodore, "it shall be asyou say, madam. Make your arrangements as you please."
[_A&M_:
Mel. No, Alonzo; my reputation depends on my adherence to my first determination; justice to yourself and to Beauman, also demand it. After what has passed, I should be considered as acting capriciously and inconsistently should I depart from it. Beauman will be here to-morrow, and----
Al. To-morrow, madam?
Mel. He will be here to-morrow, and you must consent to stay with us until that time; the matter shall then be decided.
Al. I--yes--it shall be as you say, madam. Make your arrangements as you please.]
Evening came on, and spread around her sombre shades;--the breeze'srustling wing was in the tree:--the sound of the low, murmuring brooks,and the far-off waterfall, were faintly heard;--the frequent lights inthe village darted their pale lustre through the gloom:--the solitarywhip-poor-wills stationed themselves along the woody glens, the grovesand rocky pastures, and sung a requiem to departed summer;--a dark cloudwas rising in the west, across whose gloomy front the vivid lightningbent its forky spires.
[_A&M_:
Evening had now spread her dusky mantle over the face of nature. The breeze's rustling wing was in the tree. The "stilly sound" of the low murmuring brook, and the far off water fall, were faintly heard. The twinkling fire fly arose from the surrounding verdure and illuminated the air with a thousand transient gleams. The mingling discordance of curs and watch-dogs echoed in the distant village, from whence the frequent lights darted their pale lustre through the gloom.--The solitary whipperwills stationed themselves along the woody glens, the groves and rocky pastures, and sung a requiem to departed summer. A dark cloud was rising in the west, across whose gloomy front the vivid lightning bent its forky spires.]
[[The middle of this paragraph was used earlier in _Alida_.]]
Theodore and Alida moved slowly towards home; she appeared enrapturedwith the melancholy splendours of the evening, but another subjectengaged the mental attention of Theodore.
[_A&M_:
Alonzo and Melissa moved slowly to the village; she appeared enraptured with the melancholy splendors of the evening, but the other subject engaged the mental attention of Alonzo.]
Bonville arrived the next day. He gave his hand to Theodore with seemingwarmth of friendship. If it was reciprocated, it must have beenaffected. There was no alteration in the manners and conversation ofAlida; her discourse, as usual, was sprightly and interesting. Afterdinner she retired, and her father requested Theodore and Bonville towithdraw with him to a private room. After they were seated, the oldgentleman thus addressed them:
[_A&M_:
Beauman arrived the next day. He gave his hand to Alonzo with seeming warmth of friendship. If it was reciprocated, it must have been affected. There was no alteration in the manners and conversation of Melissa; her conversation as usual, was sprightly and interesting. After dinner she retired, and her father requested Alonzo and Beauman to withdraw with him to a private room. After they were seated the old gentleman thus addressed them:--]
"I have called you here, gentlemen, to perform my duty as a parent to mydaughter, and as a friend to you. You have both addressed Alida; whileyour addresses were merely formal, they were innocent; but when theybecame serious, they were dangerous. Your pretensions I consider equal,and between honourable pretenders, who are worthy of my daughter,I shall not attempt to influence her choice. That choice, however, canrest only on one; she has engaged to decide between you. I am come, tomake in her name this decision. The following are my terms: nodifficulty shall arise between you, gentlemen, in consequence of herdetermination; nothing shall go abroad respecting the affair; it shallbe settled under my roof. As soon as I have pronounced Alida'sdeclaration, you shall both depart, and absent my house for at least twoweeks, as it would be improper for my daughter to see either of you atpresent; after that period I shall be happy to receive your visits."Theodore and Bonville pledged their honour to abide implicitly by theseinjunctions.
[_A&M_:
"I have called you here, gentlemen, to perform my duty as a parent to my daughter, and as a friend to you. You are both suitors to Melissa; while your addresses were merely formal, they were innocent; but when they became serious they were dangerous. Your pretensions I consider equal, and between honorable pretenders, who are worthy of my daughter, I shall not attempt to influence her choice. That choice, however, can rest only on one: she has engaged to decide between you. I am come, to make in her name, this decision.--The following are my terms: No quarrel or difficulty shall arise between you, gentlemen, in consequence of her determination. Nothing shall go abroad respecting the affair; it shall be ended under my roof. As soon as I have pronounced her declaration, you shall both depart and absent my house, for, at least, two weeks, as it would be improper for my daughter to see either of you at present--after that period I shall be happy to receive your visits." Alonzo and Beauman pledged their honor to abide implicitly by these injunctions.]
He then further observed: "This, gentlemen, is all I require. I havesaid that I c
onsidered your pretensions equal; so has my daughtertreated them. You have both made professions to her; she has appointed atime to answer you. That time has now arrived, and I now informyou--that she has decided in favour of Theodore."
[_A&M_:
Her father then observed--"This, gentlemen, is all I require. I have observed that I considered your pretensions equal--so has my daughter treated them. You have both made professions to her: she has appointed a time to answer you. That time has now arrived, and I now inform you that she has decided in favor of--Alonzo."]
These words from Alida's father, burst upon the mental powers ofBonville like sudden and tremendous thunder on the deep and sullensilence of night. Unaccustomed to disappointment, he had calculated onassured success. His addresses to the ladies generally had beenhonourably received. Alida was the first whose charms were capable ofrendering them sincere. He was not ignorant of Theodore's attentions toher; it gave him, however, but little uneasiness. He believed that hissuperior acquired graces would eclipse the pretensions of his rival. Heconsidered himself a connoisseur in character, especially in that of theladies. He conformed to their taste; he flattered their foibles, andobsequiously bowed to the minutia of female volatility. He consideredhimself skilled in the language of the heart; and he trusted that fromhis pre-eminent powers in the science of affection, he had only to see,to make use of, and to conquer.
[_A&M_:
The declaration of Melissa's father burst upon the mental powers of Beauman, like a sudden and tremendous clap of thunder on the deep and sullen silence of night. Unaccustomed to disappointment, he had calculated on success. His addresses to the ladies had ever been honorably received.
Melissa was the first whose charms were capable of rendering them sincere. He was not ignorant of Alonzo's attention to her; it gave him however but little uneasiness. He believed that his superior qualifications would eclipse the pretensions of his rival. He considered himself a connoisseur in character, especially in the character of the ladies. He conformed to their taste; he flattered their foibles and obsequiously bowed to the minutia of female volatility. He considered himself skilled in the language of the heart; and he trusted that from his pre-eminent powers in the science of affection, he had only to see, to sue and to conquer.]
He had frankly offered his hand to Alida, and pressed her for a decisiveanswer. This from time to time she suspended, and finally named a day inwhich to give him and Theodore a determinate one, though neither knewthe arrangements made with the other. Alida finding, however, thedilemma in which she was placed, and she had previously consulted herfather. He had no objections to her choosing between two persons ofequal claims to affluence and respectability. This choice she had made,and her father was considered the most proper person to pronounce it.
[_A&M_:
He had frankly offered his hand to Melissa, and pressed her for a decisive answer. This from time to time she suspended, and finally appointed a day to give him and Alonzo a determinate answer, though neither knew the arrangements made with the other.
Finding, however, the dilemma in which she was placed, she had previously consulted her parents. Her father had no objection to her choosing between two persons of equal claims to affluence and reputation; this choice she had made, and her father was considered the most proper person to pronounce it.]
When Bonville had urged Alida to answer him decidedly, he supposed thather hesitation, delay and suspensions, were only the effect ofdiffidence. He had no suspicion of her ultimate conclusion, and when shefinally named the day to decide, he was confident her voice would be inhis favour. These sentiments he had communicated to the person who hadwritten to Theodore, intimating that Alida had fixed a time which was tocrown his sanguine wishes. He had listened, therefore, attentively tothe words of her father, momentarily expecting to hear himself declaredthe favourite choice of the fair. What then must have been hisdisappointment when the name of Theodore was pronounced instead of hisown! The highly-finished scene of pleasure and future happy prospectswhich his ardent imagination had depicted, now vanished in a moment. Thebright sun of his early hopes was veiled in darkness at this unexpecteddecision.
[_A&M_:
When Beauman had urged his suit to Melissa, he supposed that her hesitations, delays and suspensions, were only the effects of maiden diffidence and timidity. He had no suspicions of her ultimately rejecting it; and when she finally named the day of decision, he was confident she would decide in his favor. These sentiments he had communicated to the person who had written to Alonzo, intimating that Melissa had fixed a time which was to crown his happiest wishes.
He had listened, therefore, attentively to the words of Melissa's father, momentarily expecting to hear himself declared the favorite choice of the fair.
What then must have been his disappointment when the name of Alonzo was pronounced instead of his own! The highly finished scene of pleasure and future prosperity which his ardent imagination had depicted, had vanished in a moment. The rain-bow glories which gilded his youthful horizon, had faded in an instant--the bright sun of his early hopes, had set in mournful darkness.]
Very different were the sensations which inspired the bosom of Theodore.He had not even calculated on a decision in his favour; he believed thatBonville would be the choice of Alida. She had told him, that the formof deciding was necessary to save appearances; with this form hecomplied, because she desired it, not because he expected the resultwould be in his favour. He had not, therefore, attended to the words ofAlida's father with that eagerness which favourable anticipationscommonly produce.
[_A&M_:
Very different were the sensations which inspired the bosom of Alonzo. He had not even calculated on a decision in his own favor. He believed that Beauman would be the choice of Melissa. She had told him that the form of decision was necessary to save appearances--with this form he complied because she desired it, not because he expected the result would be in his favor. He had not therefore attended to the words of Melissa's father with that eagerness which favorable anticipations commonly produce.]
But when his name was mentioned; when he found that he was the choice,the happy favourite of Alida's affection, every ardent feeling of hissoul became interested, and was suddenly aroused to the refinements ofsensibility. Like an electric shock it re-animated his existence, andthe bright morning of joy quickly dissipated the gloom which hung overhis mind.
[_A&M_:
But when his name was mentioned--when he found he was the choice--the happy favorite of Melissa's affection--every tender passion of his soul became interested, and was suddenly aroused to the refinements of sensibility. Like an electric shock, it reanimated his whole frame, and vibrated every nerve of his heart. The glooms which hung about his mind were dissipated, and the bright morning of joy broke in upon his soul.]